Search

Background: The current standard operation for proximal gastric and gastroesophageal junction (P/GEJ) cancers with limited esophageal extension is total gastrectomy (TG). TG is associated with impaired appetite and weight loss due to the loss of gastric functions such as production of ghrelin and with anemia due to intrinsic factor loss and vitamin B12 malabsorption. Theoretically, proximal gastrectomy (PG) can mitigate these problems by preserving gastric function. However, PG with direct esophagogastric reconstruction is associated with severe postoperative reflux, delayed gastric emptying, and poor quality of life (QoL). Minimally invasive PG (MIPG) with antireflux techniques has been increasingly performed by experts but is technically demanding owing to its complexity. Moreover, the actual advantages of MIPG over minimally invasive TG (MITG) with regards to postoperative QoL are unknown. Our overall objective of this study is to determine the short-term QoL benefits of MIPG. Our central hypotheses are that MIPG is safe and that patients have improved appetite after MIPG with effective antireflux techniques, which leads to an overall QoL improvement when compared with MITG. Methods: Enrollment of a total of 60 patients in this prospective survey-collection study is expected. Procedures (MITG versus MIPG, antireflux techniques for MIPG [double-tract reconstruction versus the double-flap technique]) will be chosen based on surgeon and/or patient preference. Randomization is not considered feasible because patients often have strong preferences regarding MITG and MIPG. The primary outcome is appetite level (reported on a 0-10 scale) at 3 months after surgery. With an expected 30 patients per cohort (MITG versus MIPG), this study will have 80% power to detect a one-point difference in appetite level. Patient-reported outcomes will be longitudinally collected (including questions about appetite and reflux), and specific QoL items, body weight, body mass index and ghrelin, albumin, and hemoglobin levels will be compared. Discussion: Surgeons from the US, Japan, and South Korea formed this collaboration with the agreement that the surgical approach to P/GEJ cancers is an internationally important but controversial topic that requires immediate action. At the completion of the proposed research, our expected outcome is the establishment of the benefit and safety of MIPG. Trial registration: This trial was registered with Clinical Trials Reporting Program Registration under the registration number NCI-2022–00267 on January 11, 2022, as well as with ClinicalTrials.gov under the registration number NCT05205343 on January 11, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current standard surgical procedure for proximal gastric and gastroesophageal junction (P/GEJ) cancers with limited esophageal involvement is total gastrectomy (TG). TG is associated with impaired appetite and weight loss due to decreased levels of ghrelin (a "hunger hormone" secreted by the stomach) and with anemia due to intrinsic factor loss and vitamin B12 malabsorption. Theoretically, proximal gastrectomy (PG) with an anti-reflux technique such as double-tract reconstruction (DTR) can improve quality of life (QoL) by preserving gastric function.1 A recent Japanese prospective GEJ adenocarcinoma study reported a low incidence of lymph node metastases at peripyloric stations,2 indicating the oncological safety of PG for GEJ adenocarcinoma regardless of tumor stage. As a result, PG is increasingly performed in South Korea and Japan, although the QoL benefit of PG over TG remains unknown.3, 4 We have performed PG with DTR in select cases with satisfying short-term outcomes. In this video, we introduce our technique for robotic PG with DTR. The presented case is a 75-year-old woman with GEJ adenocarcinoma that showed an excellent response to preoperative chemoradiation therapy. The patient underwent robotic PG with DTR. Fluorescent sentinel lymphatic mapping was performed by injecting indocyanine green solution (total of 2 ml, at four quadrants around the tumor at submucosal space) via endoscopy at the beginning of the operation. It showed absence of sentinel lymphatic flow to peripyloric lymph nodes, which were thus considered safe to preserve. Pathologic examination confirmed a complete response. The patient's recovery was favorable, and she reported satisfaction with her QoL and good appetite, though some intermittent bloating after eating. PG with DTR has theoretical disadvantages including incomplete lymph node removal, which may result in recurrence; therefore, PG should be carefully performed for P/GEJ cancers with low risk of perigastric lymph node metastases, such as cT1 tumors or GEJ tumors with limited gastric involvement.2 In addition, delayed gastric emptying of the remnant stomach can cause upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as reflux and bloating. The QoL benefits of PG with DTR must be demonstrated before encouraging its use in the USA and other countries. International collaboration is warranted to test the benefits and safety of PG, and the effective use of sentinel lymphatic mapping, to standardize the surgical care of patients with P/GEJ cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]